NOVEMBER 23, 2006

THE CADRE @ 11

NEWS

-Harper’s cuts will affect those who are most vulnerable

Bethany Lassaline

Reporter

Hollye MacKinnon is a student at UPEI and a volunteer at UPEI’s Women’s Centre and he is determined

that Islanders know and understand what is happening.

“T want everyone to at least

know some facts about what is going on, it seems like nobody knows about this.”

_ She is organizing a protest for Nov. 23, in the Student Union’s visitor parking lot.

“We are doing this to raise awareness, it’s a really big deal and people need to know that it is not just women who are being affected. Aboriginals and people with disabilities are also going to experience the cutbacks.”

Along with the plans for the protest, Hollye has made some fact sheets that have been distributed throughout campus.

“People need to know. If .

people knew what was going on I know they wouldn’t be OK with it.”

Harper’s cuts have prevented aboriginals, women and people with

disabilities from accessing crucial

setvices. For instance, the court challenges program that assists Canadians in defending their constitutional rights will no longer be funded.

This means people who are at a disadvantage in the legal system, in particular women and minorities, will no longer be given funds or guidance to help with the legal process.

Status of Women Canada is a major organization that distributes funding and services to smaller regional programs.

“They take care of various issues, like pay equity legislation, that promote women’s equality,’ Hollye said,

Harper’s government has indicated that the cuts are partially because the government feels that women are already equals.

“This is.a slap in the face for everything women have been working for these past 30 to 40 years. It was

just like, bam! It’s all gone.”

There have already been closures as a result of the cuts around Prince Edward Island.

“There are Regional Equity offices in each province, they are there to help people in need to find jobs. The P.E.I. office has already been closed down. Harper wants to have one centralized office that is located in Ottawa,” Hollye said.

“The advantage to having an office in each province, especially Prince Edward Island, is that the people get to know you, and you get to know them, it’s an entirely personal experience, now you will just be a case number.”

Hollye adds, “two weeks ago an aboriginal shelter was shut down due to the elimination of volunteer Canada. Now these people have nowhere to go.”

Harper’s budget cuts came as a surprise as there was no public forum to address the possibility of the cuts.

“There was no debate or discussion that informed the public that these programs were in danger of being cut. On the 25" he just came out and said this is cut.”

Hollye is urging students to get involved.

“Bring your signs and come out on the 23 Show people that we are not okay with these cuts.”

Hollye also encourages everyone to send a letter or an email to the Prime minister, as well as our

local representative Pat Binns. “Please remember this come election time. Harper has been boasting about a $13.2 million surplus. These cuts aren’t warranted, they are taking services away from those who need it most.”

For further information you can contact Hollye at, harpercut@hotmail.com Contact the Prime Minister at the Parliamentary Office Email: pm@pm.gc.ca Fax: (613) 941-6900 Phone: (613) 992-4211 Mailing Address: Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A2